The Cacadu U15 soccer tournament took place at JD Dlepu Stadium recently. As a Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme, the event was organised by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) and saw eight teams from seven local district municipalities taking part.
The Cacadu U15 soccer tournament took place at JD Dlepu Stadium recently. As a Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme, the event was organised by the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) and saw eight teams from seven local district municipalities taking part.
The teams were divided into two groups, Group A and B, in preparation for the first rounds. Makana 1 was grouped together with Blue Crane, Ndlambe and Sunday’s River in Group A, while Makana 2 was in Group B with Ikhwezi, Camdeboo and Kouga.
Results of the first round: Group A Ndlambe 3-2 Sunday’s River, Makana (1) 2-1 Blue Crane, Blue Crane 1-3 Sunday’s River, Makana (1) 2-1 Ndlambe, Makana (1) 2-1 Sunday’s River, Ndlambe 2-3 Blue Crane Group B Makana (2) 4-1 Ikhwezi, Camdeboo 0-2 Kouga Ikhwezi 0-2 Camdeboo, Kouga 3-2 Makana (2) Makana (2) 2-0 Camdeboo, Ikwezi 1-4 Kouga After a tough battle in the group stages played on both Friday and Saturday, the two top teams in Group A were Makana 1 followed by Ndlambe while Makana 2 and Camdeboo were top of Group B.
The semi- finals saw leaders of Group A Makana 1 who won all its group matches. Taking on Group B were the runners up Camdeboo on B field while on A field Group B log leaders Makana 2 faced Ndlambe.
Semi finals Makana (1) 2-1 Camdeboo The home side went on a full attack from the start and the visiting Camdeboo side were mostly forced to defend in the early stages.
Five minutes into the game Makana 1 were awarded an opportunity to go ahead but the attempt lacked power and direction.
The blowing wind took its toll as both teams kept on switching ball possession throughout the first half. Mid-way through the half Makana 1’s questions were finally answered while applying pressure on the visiting side.
While trying to clear the ball away from the danger zone, a Camdeboo’s defender beat his own keeper, scoring an own goal for Makana 1.
A minute later Camdeboo came close to equalising from a shot that missed the goals by margins. Minutes before halftime the Camdeboo goalie was forced to make a save when the home side went for goals from a free kick not far from the 18 yard area.
Coming back from half time, a chip above the Camdeboo defence from Baphelele Ziqwayi tricked the goalie as it bounced in front of goals and into the net.
Not long after, Camdeboo came back attacking and Thembani Feni claimed one for his side. The game was equally contested with the Makana 1 side taking most of the ball possession.
Makana 1 secured a place in the finals as the game ended Makana 1 won the match 2-1. Makana (2) 3-1 Ndlambe In the early minutes both sides struggled controlling the ball as it kept on switching from team to team.
Several attempts on the Ndlambe side were blocked by the strong right back Vuyani Sontsonga. In the 30th minute striker Luthando Ngxingo put his side in the lead, making the halftime score 1-0 to Makana
2. In the second half both teams threatened each other looking for a goal and in the 27th minute of the second half, Makana 2’s Siyamthanda Limba netted the second goal stretching the lead to 2-0.
Five minutes later Sinovuyo Nobebe put the Ndlambe side on the scoreboard, making it 2-1. In the dying stages Ayabonga Thwani nailed the third goal for Makana 2 who was to face Makana 1 in the finals.
Finals It was only two minutes into the game and already Makana 2 were on the attack. From a brilliant run down on the left flank of Makana 1, Makana 2 striker Luthando Ngxingo created space for Ayabonga Thwani to make it 1-0.
A minute later a shot by Ngxingo was deflected by Makana 1 goalie into a corner. In the early minutes Ngxingo gave Makana 1 defenders a hard time up front, with runs that prove to be threatening.
In the 10th minute Makana 1 was granted a chance while pressing forward but the unfortunate happened due to lack of ball control in front of goals.
In the first half neither teams had the best of ball control as the rain and windy conditions affected the game.
On the half-hour mark after attempts going forward, Makana 1 captain Sonwabile Vellem came to the rescue and netted a brilliant equalising goal.
Two minutes later from a counter attack, Makana 1 took advantage of their opponent’s scrambled defence and Baphelele Ziqwayi put his side on the lead going into half time.
Eight minutes into the second half Makana 2’s Ayabonga Thwani scored his second goal in two matches after several bounces of the ball in the 18 yards area.
Another attempt from Makana 1 came in the 19th minute of the second half but Makana 2 defenders cleared the ball off the line.
The fulltime score ended 2 all and penalty kicks were the only decider after the given 70 minutes of play. After the five selected players kicked, three had scored and two missed for both sides, therefore the score was still level pegging at 3-3.
Then it was down to sudden death. Both sides scored from the first of the sudden death penalties. Makana 2 scored their second, while Makana 1 missed, giving Makana 2 the victory.
Makana 2 took with their victory the gold medals and the trophy while runners-up Makana 1 took home the silver medals.
The third and fourth places were shared between Ndlambe and Camdeboo who had an early departure back home.
Sporting equipment that came with the victory of the Makana teams were to be shared amongst the 13 teams in the U15 Local Football League.
“All players were committed and full of potential and I had never worried about who takes the first place between the two Makana teams, all that matters is that they played a good game,” said Sisanda Mpande, coach of the two Makana sides.
Mpande wished the boys well going back to their league encounters. Local Football Association President Siyabonga Masinda addressed the players and coaches, cautioning the oaches to thoroughly check their players’ age before allowing them into the field.
“Coaches should be strict with checking the players’ age, so as to avoid old players playing in the junior league.”
He also thanked all who came to support but moreover he thanked the players who had to play in such cold and windy weather conditions.
